Legislative Updates

Updated March 5, 2010-

Low Intensity Support Services (LISS)

LISS (Low Intensity Support Services) are funded by the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA).  Commonly referred to as Rolling Access funds, the program is intended to provide quickly and easily accessible home and community supports for families with a child living at home and adults living in their homes. 

DDA is now interpreting the regulation for "one-time only services up to $3,000 per individual per year" as one-time only for the individual's lifetime.  This is resulting in painful decisions by families-what year do I ask for funds?  Which service do I ask for-respite care when I am hospitalized, a ramp so my child can get into our home, diapers for our adult daughter, or the costly therapies ordered by our doctor to increase our child's skills?

Support Legislative to Help LISS!
SB 920/HB1226 (Senators Kasemeyer/Madeleno and Delegate Hubbard) would fix some of the problems encountered by people with developmental disabilities and their families.  The legislation clarifies that applicants do not have to first seek Medicaid eligibility or apply for the Waiting List, and defines one-time only as "up to $3,000 per individual per year."

 

ACTION NEEDED

Contact your legislators and ask them to:
1.  Support the FY2011 DDA Budget with NO CUTS.
2.  Support legislation that would increase funding to DDA to be used for the Waiting list and underfunding of community services.  Following is a list of bills that will be considered this year.  3.  Please call or email and ask your representatives to support these bills. 

SB 717 & HB 832:  The Lorraine Sheehan Health and Community Services Act of 2010 (Delegates Bronrott/Hubbard & Senators Jones/Madaleno) provides $30M to the Waiting List and Underfunding of Community Programs by raising the cost of an alcoholic drink by 10 cents.

SB 318/HB 830: Income Tax Check-off for Developmental Disabilities (Senator Kramer/Delegate Kramer) established a voluntary state income tax check-off with revenues to the Waiting List Equity Fund.
HB 938:  Developmental Disabilities-Waiting List Equity Fund (Delegate Rice) requires the Governor to fund 90% of people on the Waiting List with at least one service. HB 1283:  Developmental Disabilities Waiting List Reduction Act of 2010 (Delegate Taylor) requires the Governor to fund $5M each year to serve people on the Waiting list. The $5M can be matched by federal funds, resulting in approximately $10M. SB 920/HB1226:  This bill was created to (Senators Kasemeyer/Madeleno and Delegate Hubbard) fix some of the problems encountered by people with developmental disabilities and their families.  LISS (Low Intensity Support Services) are funded by the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA).  Commonly referred to as Rolling Access funds, the program is intended to provide quickly and easily accessible home and community supports for families with a child living at home and adults living in their homes.  The legislation clarifies that applicants do not have to first seek Medicaid eligibility or apply for the Waiting List, and defines one-time only as "up to $3,000 per individual per year."  The current interpretation is $3,000 per individual per lifetime.

Contact The Governor:
1.  Thank him for funding what is in the budget for DDA.
2.  Request that he support legislation that would increase funding to DDA to be used for the Waiting List and underfunding of community services.

To contact the Governor:
Email:  www.gov.state.md.us
Write:  Governor Martin O'Malley, State House, Annapolis, MD  21401-1925
Call:  1-800-811-8336; MD Relay:  1-800-735-2258

Public Policy and Governmental Affair

• Arc of Maryland Public Policy Web Page
• Arc US Legislative Action Center
• Monday Morning in Washington DC